Cranberry Orange Cookies are rich, flavorful treats made with dried cranberries, chopped pecans, fresh orange zest and orange juice, finished with a simple orange glaze for a bright, sweet touch.
For many years I hosted a Christmas cookie exchange at my house each December. That’s where I first tasted these Cranberry Orange Cookies, and they quickly became a favorite. The exchange was always a highlight of the season—10 to 20 friends would join, bring a single kind of cookie (six dozen), and share the recipe. We’d divide the cookies so everyone left with a generous assortment of homemade treats and a stack of new recipes to try.
The cookie exchange is perfect for holiday gatherings: you only bake one recipe but go home with dozens of varieties. Along with the cookie swapping, we played silly games, snacked on appetizers, and caught up. Hosting that party the first week of December always felt like the ideal way to kick off the holidays.
Scroll down for a printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
How Does a Cookie Exchange Work?
Everyone brings six dozen of one kind of cookie and the recipe. We tally the total cookies and divide by the number of participants so each person packs an equal assortment to take home. The result is a large box filled with 12–20 different types of cookies and all of the accompanying recipes—so one baking session yields a delicious, varied collection.
How I Got the Recipe
A friend named Valerie brought these Cranberry Orange Cookies to our exchange one year, and I fell in love with their bright citrus flavor combined with tart dried cranberries and toasty pecans. I made the recipe at home and it quickly became one I return to for holiday gatherings and year-round baking.
I’ve made these cookies many times; they’re straightforward to prepare and consistently delicious. The picture may not capture how wonderful they taste, but I promise they’re worth baking—perfect for holidays, gifts, or a cozy afternoon with a cup of tea.
Looking for More Cookie Recipes?
All my cookie recipes are listed in the Recipe Index at the top of the site. A few popular favorites include:
- Snowball Cookies
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
- Dipped Gingersnaps
Interested in More Recipes?
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Recipe adapted from original sources and adjusted for personal preference.
↓↓ PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW ↓↓
Cranberry Orange Cookies are tender, buttery cookies studded with dried cranberries and chopped pecans, brightened with orange zest and juice, and finished with a silky orange glaze.
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped (or walnuts)
- 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
- 3 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 1/2 cups confectioner’s (powdered) sugar
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg, then add 1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange zest and 2 tablespoons orange juice; mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the orange-scented butter mixture until just combined. Fold in the dried cranberries and chopped pecans until evenly distributed.
- Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto ungreased baking sheets, spacing the cookies about 2 inches apart. Bake at 375°F for 12–14 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cookies cool, prepare the glaze: whisk together 1 teaspoon grated orange zest, 3 tablespoons orange juice, and 1 1/2 cups confectioner’s sugar until smooth. Spread or drizzle the glaze over cooled cookies and allow it to set before serving. Enjoy!